The Ministry of Environment and Tourism plans to use over N$45 million towards the protection and management of key species and natural habitats.

This was revealed by minister Indileni Daniel during the motivation of her ministerial budget allocation of N$727 million in the National Assembly last week.

“The programme further provides for the dedicated conservation and management of high-value species such as elephants, rhinos and pangolin, which are facing extinction risks as a result of increasing levels of poaching,” she said.

According to the minister, aerial and ground-based wildlife surveys were conducted to assess the status of wildlife in selected communal area conservancies and in the state-protected areas, while more than 200 black and white rhinos were captured and de-horned.

Daniel said better protective measures have to be applied to protect the rhino from poachers.

Additionally, to support wildlife-based economic activities in both protected areas, communal conservancy areas and on freehold land, the ministry captured and translocated some animals to conservancies and protected areas.

Through these efforts, she said, more job opportunities were created through the existing and new tourism concessions the ministry awarded to communities living inside and near the state-protected areas.

Meanwhile, N$51 million is earmarked for tourism growth and development, as well as gaming regulation.

Citing the tourist statistical report for 2023, Daniel said tourist arrivals have bounced back from 169 565 during the Covid-19 pandemic to 863 872.

The ministry further intends to implement a chain of maintenance and new infrastructure developments that have been assigned over N$33 million.

“The programme provides for development, rehabilitation and maintenance of critical infrastructure, while also ensuring that programmes, projects and related activities are timely executed by agreed standards, qualities and specifications,” she said.

Daniel further outlined her ministry’s intention to implement a policy coordination and support services programme that has been allocated N$131 million.

“Also included under this programme is the oversight of the implementation of 30 apprenticeships, 50 internships, and 25 graduate internships for the 2025/26 financial year, aimed at enhancing youth employability, promoting economic empowerment, and addressing broader social-economic challenges such as unemployment and skills gaps.”